Consultation events on power station plan

The company hoping to build a power station in Meaford is holding three consultation events in and around Stone on the 9th, 10th and 11th October.

Meaford Energy Limited’s intention was revealed in September and it is now asking key stakeholders and local residents for their initial feedback on its proposals for a new 299MW combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power station, to be known as Meaford Energy Centre, at Meaford Business Park.

The CCGT power station will use gas and steam to produce electricity and represents a £300m investment in the local community.

As well as generating electricity, Meaford Energy Limited says the power station will provide 30 highly skilled permanent local jobs and create up to 800 construction jobs over three years.

Rupert Wood, director of Meaford Energy Limited, said: “As well as creating operational and construction jobs and providing security of power to the area, Meaford Energy Centre will unlock the development of Meaford Business Park by making it an attractive location for hi-tech, manufacturing and logistics firms.”

The proposals are at an early stage, with Meaford Energy Limited seeking the community’s views on the concept of a power station at Meaford Business Park.

You can meet the Meaford Energy Limited team, view the proposals and provide your feedback at one of the public exhibition events being held in the area on:

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9th October 2013
1pm to 7pm
Function Room, Lakeside Tavern, Meaford Road, Meaford

10 October 2013
1pm to 8pm
Station Community Centre, Stone Railway Station, Station Road, Stone

11 October 2013
1pm to 7pm
Barlaston Village Hall, 1 Longton Road, Barlaston, Staffordshire, ST12 9AA

Meaford Energy Limited is consulting the community in two stages; firstly a stage of non-statutory consultation, which is currently under way, and then secondly a stage of statutory consultation. Statutory consultation is undertaken as set out in the Planning Act 2008, which states how the community should be consulted on nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) such as the Meaford Energy Centre.

Meaford Energy Limited says it has organised its consultation so that it can introduce the community to its proposals and raise awareness of its plans during its non-statutory stage of consultation. At the statutory stage of consultation it will present detailed designs for further community feedback.

More information at www.Meaford-Energy.com

Here is a summary of the steps of Meaford Energy Limited’s application process

Step 1 – Informal Consultation

Step 2 – Production of more detailed designs

Step 3 – Formal Consultation

Step 4 – Application submitted to the Planning Inspectorate

Step 5 – Application reviewed by the Planning Inspectorate

Step 6 – Public examination of proposals including hearings

Step 7 – Planning Inspectorate recommendation produced

Step 8 – Decision from the Secretary of State